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Book Chat: Cherry Single

By Elizabeth Parker

It is with a great deal of pleasure that I present this month's headliner, "Cherry Single."  I had noticed this book's web site linked to from various transgender sites, and had read the starting three chapters presented there by the author, Valory Gravois, but I had not been able to find the book at the bookstores, and at the time was unable to order it.  So when Valory emailed me with the request to review it I was thrilled!  I must confess however, that I was expecting somewhat of a higher level TG fiction book, published through a more mainstream channel.  I was pleased in a way to find that I was totally wrong. The book is the story of David Nunley, a transvestite "coming of age," as the book is subtitled. He has a normal job to pay the bills, and struggles to find happiness in his true avocation as a photographer while in his personal life he explores his feminine urges. As he finds his way in the world, he discovers that he can successfully date women, then tries to reconcile that with his other side. Along the way he encounters many of the stereotypical situations we like to imagine. He dates a girl at the office who moonlights as a hooker. Later he finds a female roommate who is understanding and intrigued, but they never really connect in a relationship. He meets a fellow photographer, a woman whom he dates and she ultimately accepts his kink. Then she gets him involved in a threesome with her roommate, an older woman. It's all pretty exciting, but he comes to realize that she has lesbian, or at least bi tendencies. He goes to support group meetings, and explores several types of counselling. Around this time he begins to develop a persona called Natalie. Then he encounters Patricia at a masquerade ball, dressed in a tuxedo. Natalie is dressed especially fetching that night and they connect. The rest of the book explores the trials they must go through to make a relationship work.

All of this is very well, but this is not TG fiction. Instead it is very well-written mainstream fiction which realistically explores a transvestite's efforts to come to terms with his sexuality. Hence my excitement. Instead of going for the cheap thrills, which we already have plenty of, Valory has written an unapologetic novel which explains the hero's lifestyle, but in a way which will not turn off the general populace. I feel this will lead to better understanding of our community. I hope to see more books of this type in the future. I also hope to see Valory writing more books.

Valory writes: "Cherry Single is my first novel, though I have done a number of non-fiction travel guides and the like in the past. I am also into photography and the visual arts and expect to do more novels. I would like to see other writers examine transsexuality as part of a complete spiritual and earthy life." You may contact Valory at vog@alchemist-light.com.

I don't normally do this, but since the book is not widely available allow me to shill a little. The first three chapters of the book may be previewed at http://www.alchemist-light.com. To purchase the book, Valory will sell it for the cover price of $12.95. Send your order to Alchemist/Light Publishing, Post Office Box 1275, Belmont, CA 94002. The web site also offers the opportunity to order by phone or via the internet from a bookstore in San Francisco. I promise I have no vested interest in this other than the desire to see an author of transgender topics succeed in a very difficult to penetrate publishing world.


The next book is "Flamboyánt," by Elizabeth Swados. It offers quite a lineup; the title character, a fifteen-year old hooker, and a young Orthodox Jewish woman, Chana Landeau, who secretly teaches at the Harvey Milk High School in Manhattan, a school for alternative-lifestyle children. Flamboyánt is a beautiful black girl, who has quite an engaging personality. Chana is engaged to Avi Wiseman, a handsome Jewish rabbi-in-training. Flamboyánt and Chana connect through their love of writing, and Flamboyánt invents a Jewish mother to forge closer ties with her teacher.

Now the only reason I'm going to reveal the next fact is that it was given in almost every book review I read, and its not really that big of a surprise. But if you don't want to possibly spoil the story, stop reading now.

Midway through the book, Flamboyánt's gay friend, Gerard, reveals that she is a boy, in a fit of jealousy. It seems that Flamboyánt has more feelings for Chana than teacher/pupil, and Gerard wants nothing to hinder their closeness. This does stun Chana, who naively had no idea even though every other student in the school has some kink of one kind or another.

The book is full of unexpected twists, mostly dealing with relationships. Chana turns out to have many hidden internal resources, and Flamboyánt is a sheer delight.

Many thanks to Lemuel Shattuck, who actually found one I hadn't heard of! I like to keep on top of the book scene, but love to be further educated by my readers.


I thought I'd give you an update on the MX Book Finder. Last month I reported that I'd received all but one of the books I'd ordered. I have yet to receive that book. The company, Q.M. Dabney & Co., appears to be a legitimate company, based upon my calls. However, I have not received the book they charged me for, though the crime appears to be incompetence rather than theft. Just so you know...


Thanks to all who have visited my web site in the last month. The response has been tremendous, and just a touch awesome. I have placed references to some new mainstream books with relatively minor references in the index there, clued by the ubiquitous "New" logo. Take a look.

Keep your tips coming! Several have come in which you'll be reading more about in upcoming months.


Bibliography

Gravois, Valory, "Cherry Single", Alchemist/Light Publishing, 1997, ISBN: 0960065059 (Paperback)

Swados, Elizabeth, "Flamboyánt", Picador, 1998, ISBN: 0312195478 (Hardback)

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